PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte(January 22) — A routine highway checkpoint turned into a major bust Tuesday afternoon when BARMM police seized ₱3.5 million worth of smuggled cigarettes, preventing thousands of illegal packs from reaching local communities.
Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, BARMM police director, said the operation was intelligence-driven, targeting a suspicious white Isuzu wing van in Barangay Pinantao around 4 p.m.
Officers discovered thousands of GAJAH BARU cigarette reams hidden inside the vehicle’s walls and flooring, and the driver could not present valid documentation for the cargo. An initial inventory counted 4,582 reams, valued at ₱3,596,870.
“This is not only a fight against smuggling, but a fight against illegal activities that affect the economy and put the safety of communities at risk,” De Guzman said.
The two men behind the wheel were immediately arrested, and the vehicle and goods are now in the custody of the Parang Municipal Police Station, awaiting turnover to the Bureau of Customs for investigation and filing of charges.
Community impact: why this matters
Cigarette smuggling is more than an economic issue. Authorities say unchecked contraband fuels criminal networks, undercuts legitimate businesses, and robs government coffers of tax revenue that funds essential services.
By intercepting smuggled goods before they reach store shelves, BARMM police are protecting both local consumers and the region’s economy, ensuring that communities see tangible benefits from law enforcement efforts.
Residents in Parang and nearby towns welcomed the seizure, noting that such operations not only uphold the law but also reinforce public trust in police and customs authorities.
De Guzman added that intelligence-based checkpoints like this are now a regular part of BARMM’s anti-smuggling strategy, signaling that authorities are committed to keeping contraband off the roads and supporting lawful trade.
